Sclerostin as Regulatory Molecule in Vascular Media Calcification and the Bone-Vascular Axis.

ABSTRACT: Sclerostin is a well-known inhibitor of bone formation that acts on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This manuscript considers the possible role of sclerostin in vascular calcification, a process that shares many similarities with physiological bone formation. Rats were exposed to a warfarin-containing diet to induce vascular calcification. Vascular smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation, vascular calcification grade, and bone histomorphometry were examined. The presence and/or production of sclerostin was investigated in serum, aorta, and bone. Calcified human aortas were investigated to substantiate clinical relevance. Warfarin-exposed rats developed vascular calcifications in a time-dependent manner which went along with a progressive increase in serum sclerostin levels. Both osteogenic and ad

SUBMITTER: De Mare A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6669501 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature